An advance copy of the registration standard that will enable suitably qualified registered nurses to prescribe scheduled medicines in partnership with an authorised health practitioner has been published.
The new Registration Standard: Endorsement for Scheduled Medicines – Designated Registered Nurse Prescriber, which was approved by health ministers last December, is now available on the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s (NMBA) website.
The standard outlines how qualified RNs can apply for endorsement to prescribe Schedule 2, 3, 4 and 8 medicines in partnership with authorised health practitioners, including nurse practitioners and doctors, under a clinical governance framework and an active prescribing agreement.
To qualify, RNs must:
- Complete an NMBA-approved postgraduate qualification
- Demonstrate appropriate clinical experience
- Undertake a six-month clinical mentorship with an authorised health practitioner
Under the standard, RNs will require the equivalent of three years’ fulltime post initial registration clinical experience (5,000) hours within the past six years.
Sole practitioners and/or RNs working in private practice will need to meet additional requirements outlined in the NMBA Guidelines for registered nurses applying for or with the endorsement for scheduled medicines – designated registered nurse prescriber. These include documented medicines that have been agreed with an authorised health practitioner that the designated RN prescriber will prescribe, and clearly articulated pathways for consultation and referral.
The standard will come into effect in September 2025 to give stakeholders time to prepare for the transformative change.
The NMBA has produced supporting documents, including a fact sheet and guidelines, to help RNs understand and meet the endorsement requirements.
“This is a landmark moment for Australian nursing,” said NMBA Chair Adjunct Professor Veronica Casey.
“We’re inviting the entire health community to join us on this journey.”
Access the registration standard, guidelines and fact sheet on the NMBA’s website here
